Talc, soapstone powder -- or the more modern material, PTFE powder.
No liquids, please.
Original Message:
Sent: 03-30-2023 13:12
From: Priscilla Rappaport
Subject: Resuscitating leather bushings
Putting oil on leather keyboard pin bushings has been discussed before. Here is an excerpt from my message in September 2021:
Balistol claims that it's also can be used an excellent leather conditioner. However, if you look further at the Ballistol site in English:
https://ballistol.com/uses/leather-care/
It mentions and pictures various leather articles: shoes, gloves, even your boots, holster and saddle! You will see that all of these items show the smooth surface of leather and Ballistol is very good for that. However, notice that it does caution as follows:
"However, being an oil after all, BALLISTOL SHOULD NOT BE USED ON SUEDE FOR OBVIOUS REASONS." Assuming that the rough side of the leather bushing is toward the keyboard pins as we use it, I think that would qualify as "suede." Use on that surface is not recommended by the manufacturer of Ballistol. Priscilla and I have worked often with leather bushings and, from our colleagues in Germany, heard that oil should NEVER be put on this leather. The oiled bushings would tend to collect dust and dirt and gum up the bushings. Others here in the USA have claimed success with oiling up the leather at these positions, sometimes in a solution. We have worked on 100 year old keyboards with leather bushings and they were working as if they were new.
But hey! If it works for you either straight or in solution, more power to you! Let's check back in 100 years and see how it's going. :-)
The only lubrication advised to us was talcum powder, applied with a small wedge of felt into both front rail and balance rail bushings. You might try needling the leather to see if you can rejuvenate it. If not, replacement of the bushings is the way to go. We like the leather bushings but if you are not familiar with working with the leather ones, the cloth bushings (play attention to the thickness because the leather can be thicker than the cloth) can be substituted.
Joel
------------------------------
Joel Rappaport
Round Rock TX
Original Message:
Sent: 03-29-2023 10:29
From: Robert Cope
Subject: Resuscitating leather bushings
I am doing a regulation job on a Mason & Hamlin AA from 1910. It has many new parts, hammers, shanks, flanges, wippens, etc. are recent and in good shape for regulation. Newer key buttons with cloth bushings, which I have worked with in the past and know how to improve, but the key front bushings are all done with leather. There is more knock in the front keys (when depressed and moved side to side) than there should be and I would like to address that.
Does anyone have tips or methods how to revive/resuscitate leather bushings so that they "fluff" back out and sit tighter against the pins? Thanks for any experience or advice.
Sent from my iPhone